S&W vs. Taurus, Ruger, etc.

G

Gaz_in_NZ

New member
Hi all,
I will be eventually buying a .357 and probably a .44 in the future (when my "B" endorsement gets approved) and I used to own a S&W 6" 686 Performance Center firearm.
Living in NZ there isn't the choice of S&W, Colt etc that you all have in the USA.

I would dearly love another 686 (being familiar with it) or a Colt Python or Diamondback, but I have never seen a Colt for sale here.

I have been using a S&W 8" 629 at my pistol club and I get along with that just fine (factory loads are a bit interesting in it though!)

So my question is : - How do Taurus, Ruger etc stack up Performance and Quality wise against S&W and Colt?
I have never owned either so I can't make a comparison... Never owned a Colt, I just like the looks of the Python and Diamondback... but not the price!

They will be for Target and Competition use, around 250 round / week of home loads.

Sorry if it appears to be a bit of a "noob" question.

Thanks in advance
G
 
I'll sum it up quickly, Rugers are strong and favored by many for prolonged shooting with very heavy loads while S&W generally has a more refined trigger and are less bulky due to a forged frame.

The Python might arguably be the best, but the Python is out of production and prices have soared to the point that unless you're a collector, the Ruger or S&W will likely meet your needs more economically. Generally a used Python is almost double the price of a new S&W.

Taurus is not considered as highly by most shooters as the others, I'd avoid one, especially if you're limited to the number of revolvers you can own at one time.

Do a search for GP-100 vs. 686 and you'll find many, many detailed posts.
 
Thanks for that, very much appreciated.

I don't think there is an upper limit on the number of handguns I can own, but 6 or above might provoke a "and the reason you want this other one is what?" reply from the cops, it's really more limited by the size of my wallet.:D

It's mainly the trigger action I am interested in as some of the "club guns" require quite a good pull compared to my old 686 PC model.
I tried out someones Glock 19 at the range and there is no way on earth I could ever live with amount of trigger travel in a firearm, I'm used to a very light trigger with very little travel in SA or DA.

Thanks
G
 
Do a search for GP-100 vs. 686 and you'll find many, many detailed posts.
Click to expand...

Definitely a good place to start. These two models will hold up the best to heavy shooting. Two major staples in the industry today, and for good reason.
 
I do not remember who originally posted this, how long ago it was posted, or even where it was originally posted, but it was so funny and just true enough to save for future occasions exactly like this.


# If you want to show it off to your friends...Get a Colt.*

# If you want to sip tea with one hand and shoot with the other... Get a**S&W.*

# If you own stock in FedEx or UPS... Get a Taurus or Rossi.*

#If you are going to hell and plan on coming back... Get a Ruger.*
 
Haaa... Reading all the 686 vs GP-100 threads I just found out that MIM stands for "Metal Injection Molding," not "Made in Mexico." (with any Fender guitar MIM stands for "Made in Mexico.").:D

Still probably favoring a Smith... Well.... Maybe... Possibly...:confused:

So when did this transition take place?
What are the ramifications of it?
Buy older model 'cause they are better, buy newer model 'cause it doesn't really matter, what's the general consensus?
What is the Internal Lock?

I'm sure my old 686 had the firing pin built into the hammer, no idea when it was made. Serial No. BHN96##

more confused than ever now...

Cheers
G
 
after 40 plus years of shooting wheelguns I have concluded that the best choice (in my opinion) is Ruger. I own 4 and will soon own two more.

In your hand a Ruger just feels like a real gun, not a toy like the S&W's. Colts are just over priced.

Ruger has taken all the great things about the colts and Smiths and made it better.

I have the following Rugers

super redhawk in 454 casull
super blackhawk in 44mag
blackhawk in 357mag
sercurity six

will soon own a blackhawk in 30 carbine and a blackhawk convertable in 357mag/9mm
 
You can't go wrong with a S&W, Colt or Ruger. But I would stay away from Taurus because it's a gamble if you get a good gun or not. It's not worth the frustration dealing with Taurus IMHO.
 
I was just fiddling with my SRH and 25-2 last night. I was fairly satisfied with my Ruger trigger but wanted to smooth it out. The S&W trigger isn't perfect but it feels like a higher class of trigger. The two simply don't compare.
The SRH is like having a tasty burger. It's prepared exactly how you like it. The flavor is good and it satisfies your hunger.
The Smith is like having a steak. That burger was good but the steak is a whole new kind of food.
However, if you plan on shooting that many heavy loads, get the Ruger and work the trigger.
 
Have had a number of Rugers and S&Ws. To me, the Ruger trigger is better than popular opinion and the S&W is not as good as they say. Regardless, you can't go wrong with either and you will not regret getting the 686.
 
New production? The Ruger.

Used? Pre lock S&W 686. The 686-4 is what I suggest. All the best engineering changes and none of the cost cutting measures or idiotic "innovations" like the internal lock.

Good luck with your decision! Regards 18DAI
 
Once again, many thanks for taking the time, I appreciate it.

686-4, Just as a matter of interest how old would one of those be? Not that age makes any difference, just curious.

What is this Internal Lock that was introduced, and the MIM parts?
My old 686 was all quality machined parts so I assume that it was made before the Bean Counters got involved and sacrificed quality for cash savings (I am assuming, rightly or wrongly, it was a $-driven exercise by people who know nothing about firearms or quality products in general).

Is the Ruger all machined parts and can a gunsmith get the trigger mechanism to shoot as good as a Smith 686 (going on what my old trigger was like), having never owned or shot a Ruger.

Thanks
G
 
no idea when it was made. Serial No. BHN96##
Click to expand...
serial # BHN

starting dates of serial #s
Jul 91-BHJ 8613 -BHJ 9628
Jan 92 BHT 6706-BHT 7337

so id say something between those 2 date ranges as a best guess..

engineering changes (breif description)
686 (1980) begin introduction
-1 (1986) radius/stud package
-M Recall in 1987 can't reliabially be used to date as it overstamped and can be done at any later date
-2 (1987) hammer nose and bushing
-3(1988) new yoke retention
-4(1993) rear sight, drill/tap frame, change extractor,hogue grips
-5(1997) MIM hammer, MIM trigger
-6(2001) internal Lock
 
As said, Ruger makes a robust firearm that is very well made and very comparable to offerings by S&W. Smith in my opinion typically produces a better trigger but Ruger's certainly aren't terrible. Both make guns that are at the apex of firearms in the USA.

Between the two, it really comes down to a matter of preference. I prefer Smith but many prefer Ruger. In this case, you really can't go wrong with a 686 or a Ruger GP100. Pick the one you like the most and know that you just bought one of the finest firearms being currently produced.

Taurus, they aren't close to either Ruger or Smith. They can make a decent gun, but their QA is spotty and their customer service is worse. Steer well clear.
 
Thanks Surveyor, much appreciated.
And many thanks Kreyzhorse.

So the good ones were pre-1997 and 686-4 as a maximum model number... neat:D

Cheers
G
 
If you want a surgical scalpel, buy an S&W (the older, the better).
If you want a machete, buy a Ruger.
If you want to roll the dice, buy a Taurus.
If you want a museum piece, buy a Colt, and keep it under glass. There are very few smiths who understand a Colt revolver these days...How many of them are in NZ? For certain, not too many. Perhaps only a few...and they are a dying breed.

As far as the S&W ILS goes, to the best of my recollection, it was introduced in 1999/2000. Many own ILS revolvers, have had no problem and love their revolvers. Many are unaware of the ILS's existence (as I was for a period of time). Some have had the lock auto-engage...not an everyday occurrence, but absolutely unacceptable in an SD weapon. Many S&W owners consider it a wretched design, and will not own an ILS-equipped revolver, or remove the offending parts.

In the interest of full disclosure, you may count me in this camp. An acquaintance (and forum member) had his 360 auto-lock while dry firing. A most atypical malfunction, but it happened at the best possible time. It was a wake-up call for him, for me, and for others.

The MIM and frame-mounted firing pin are somewhat less offensive to most, and I honestly have little-to-no evidence of failure of either part. But die-hard S&W guys revile both.

Happy shopping.
Best, Rich
 
+1 for S&W unless your shooting lots of heavy handloads, i prefer the trigger, fit and finish, and IMHO preformance (in my hands)of my smiths over my rugers. Ruger makes great firearms and i have nothing at all bad to say about them.


I have a S&W 29,17,66,629,686,686+PC and rugers lcr,gp100,security six, and a redhawk...
 
Thanks Rich, thanks K511, I really appreciate the input and am starting to get a handle on this MIM thing and I think I'll probably go for an older model (686-4 or earlier seems to be the advice).

I am favoring a 6" 686, mainly because it is a firearm I am familiar with and I never had any problem whatsoever with my old one (before that ******* **** "Tony B Liar" took them off us just so he could fulfill his hollow promise to an ignorant mob of voters with pitchforks and torches who were clueless about firearms!) and I put a lot of Home Rolled and Factory rounds through it and it never let me down once.

As for UK attitudes after Blair and his cronies Frightened the general public about guns... well, you know I once had a few people, acquaintances not friends, after I started teaching my son to shoot when he was 6 years old telling me that I had no right teaching my son to become a killer???? W#F... He was shooting clays with a SB .410 and using a pre-charged Air Rifle at paper targets under the supervision of a qualified instructor at an approved shooting school.
I do so loath people (mainly UK, not so here in NZ at all) who are totally uneducated about firearms and shooting who insist on telling you how bad it is and you shouldn't be doing it... and most certainly should not be NOT letting a child do it....:mad:

Sorry about that bit of a rant, but as you have probably gathered that has been irritating me for some time and it is so refreshing to talk with people who understand, the Pistol club we use in Wellington have accepted my son (now 12 years old) with no problems, he has proved himself to be a good safe shooter and they are all eager for him to try out their own firearms, he has shot various .22's, a Glock 19, S&W Model 41, a full long-side Race Gun based on a .45 frame and a S&W 8" 629 and I am very proud of him.

Cheers
G
 
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Taurus stacks-up with Colt, S&W, Rugers just fine.

When you go to the range and you want to build a temporary shooting rest on your table, Taurus boxes stack-up just fine to rest real revolvers on.
 
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